More ChuckIt, and some Rally...

Finally got to get outside and play with the new ChuckIt products. Every bit as awesome as I knew they would be, of course.

The bumper was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. I had this assumption that this is more of a retriever/water retrieval toy, and since Jade doesn't really swim very often, I didn't think it would be a toy for us.

Boy was I wrong! Jade absolutely loves this toy. It is really easy to throw- grab by the knot at the end of the rope, swing, and toss!

Just another really great product from Canine Hardware. :-)



The Amphibious Disc performs exactly as the old one did, except it flies a little smoother, and photographs a little better :)





The weather continues to be cloudy and dreary here in Iowa. Pretty annoying, the forecast says cloudy, cloudy, cloudy. Getting really old. Had some warmer weather and some sun last weekend, wish it would happen more often.

Better weather means more running time...


...and better photos too...


In other news, Jade and I will be competing for our second leg of Rally Novice A next weekend. Hoping we do alright, it's been a while since we've done any competition. Jade is studying hard...

Thanks, ChuckIt! !!!

The folks over at Canine Hardware have increased their awesomeness in my eyes once again.

In December, I entered a photo contest on Canine Hardware's website for a chance to win some ChuckIt! merchandise. Also in December, I wrote a blog entry about how much we love ChuckIt! products. Well, we didn't win the photo contest, but an employee from Canine Hardware found my blog and decided to thank us for the write-up by sending us some toys! Sweeeeet!

We were able to choose what toys we wanted- I requested a new Amphibious Disc and the Bumper toy, the only toy we don't have that I was interested in getting.

Unfortunately, the weather has been beyond nasty this winter (it was snowing horizontally today and interstates were closed due to white-out conditions, which caused a 40-car pile up) so I challenged myself to an indoor photo shoot.

First I requested a new Amphibious Disc since our old one is pretty rough looking. So, the new one is here and in reverse colors...



Didn't get many pictures of the new disc as I have a No Frisbee In The House rule. However, to show why we needed a new one, new and old comparatively:



However, we can play with the bumper in the house, and it's lots of fun. Jade likes to sit and chew on it, though she doesn't do very much damage to it. Tug is popular too, of course. Not sure that this made-for-water toy will see much water since we don't go swimming much.







Oh and regarding my ChuckIt! post, I forgot about a toy we have. We also have the ChuckIt! Boomerang. No, it doesn't boomerang back to you, but the dogs love it. I've taken it to the dog park before and it's usually a pretty popular toy. A few weeks ago when we went out to play I took the Boomerang, Flying Squirrel, and Amphibious Disc with us. Jade was sooo excited about the Boomerang that she didn't even look at the other two toys... she absolutely loves it.





In conclusion, we can't thank Canine Hardware enough for giving us these great toys. I can't wait to get outside and really utilize them. Despite feeling like the Ice Queen of Narnia, I am confident that the weather will eventually turn around and let us go out to play, and of course get some great photographs.

THANK YOU CANINE HARDWARE!!!

New Year, New Projects

Photographic projects, that is.

On Flickr, I am a part of two groups that are designed to challenge my photographic skills. One, a larger group called "52 Weeks for Dogs" and the other, a small group called "Themes and Challenges".

Had some fun with Jade's first 52 Weeks pictures, recruited the help of a mini Border Collie. The photo that made it into the group...



A few others from our little 'photo shoot':





In the other group, Themes and Challenges, we have a new subject every week. This week, appropriately, was "Good Intentions." So here are our Good Intentions/Resolutions.

More walkies! We get out to run around a lot, but we're going to log some more leash time this year.



Meditate the Mediums: I want to branch out and use some more mediums in the artwork that I plan to start again. Haven't done much art throughout college, something I'm going to pick up again.



And speaking of doing more art, I'm going to finish my cheetah pointillism I started a year or two ago.



And in the world of Kitchen, I am going to use some of the more random ingredients that are living in my kitchen. I've had this molasses for a while, but haven't used it at all. Gonna find a recipe or two for it!



Along with not buying so many books (maybe!), I'm going to read all the ones that I have!



Next week's T&C's theme is a challenge: Movement. I'm a little nervous about it... I feel like I don't know my camera enough yet to fully utilize it in order to fulfill this challenge. Not surprisingly, I received a similar individual challenge for the 52 Weeks group-- I have a wide range of pictures of Jade, but missing are movement shots. I'm going to utilize a slower shutter speed to complete this challenge, if I can figure out how to do that!! :-P

Aside from the two groups I'm in, I'm starting another project with Gris the Gilt. She's going to pop up at least once a week and have her very own 52 Weeks. Kind of a personal challenge, but it's going to be fun.



Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas!

Hopefully you've all been good this year so Santa brought you good stuff! Jade has been a good girl, so I decided to try my hand at homemade dog biscuits.



They were a lot of fun to make... this was my first endeavor of this sort and the second time in my life I've used a rolling pin and cookie cutters. Had no idea how they would turn out, but Jade was eager nonetheless:



Fortunately, Jade really seems to like them!



Jade got a Loopie from Santa, just so happens its a piggy, so it fits in with the half-dozen or so other toy pigs she has. I may have something to do with that.



She really enjoyed it... with seven squeakers and an oinker in the middle, I think it would be hard not to enjoy. She managed to play with it by herself for a full ten minutes before she decided she needed our assistance.



Otherwise, the weather has been pretty crappy here lately, so I've been keeping myself pretty busy baking. I have several pounds of Kringla dough ready to bake, soon they'll be done and I'll be guiltily enjoying them. Delicious!



Anyway, I hope this Christmas finds everyone in happiness and in health, and with their friends and family. Still weather depending, but hubby and I may be spending our first Christmas together in our apartment with Jade and Lacey. Either way great fun and good food will be had by all!

Product Review: ChuckIt!

Let's get this straight... We Love ChuckIt!!!

ChuckIt! Products are super fun... easily one of my two favorite dog toy brands. This company makes dog toys to fly, fetch, float, among other super fun activities. We have their Flying Squirrel and Amphibious Disc, both of which Jade loves. The disc floats through the air very well, as well as in the water. I find the throw-to-catch ratio between Jade and I is pretty good with this toy, it flies fairly slowly, and Jade can jump up and pluck it out of the air.

Jade sporting the most popular way to wear the Amphibious Disc...


and two from this week:




Jade likes the Flying Squirrel more than I do. Don't get me wrong, I still like it, but Jade loves it more. Rather, she likes to attempt to kill it by shaking it ferociously. She pulled a little bit of stitching out, which I suspect why it doesn't fly as easily as it used to. With such an odd shape, it is somewhat strange to throw, but the dogs love them nonetheless.

Attempts to kill the squirrel are often futile, though it does get a good smashing


If solo attempts at killing the squirrel do not succeed, you can always recruit a friend...


Lastly, if all else fails, attempt to drown it. Will undoubtedly be unsuccessful, but try it nonetheless!


I find they are very durable, though Jade isn't a very rough chewer. The disc is a little tattered on the inside, but that's probably because I play tug with it, same with the squirrel.

On to the rest of our ChuckIt! toys... specifically, balls. We love balls! (had to say it!) ChuckIt! makes a wide variety of specialty balls- we currently have the Ultra Ball (orange), the Whistler Ball (blue), and Erratic Ball (green). They also make balls from recycled rubber, balls that glow in the dark, and small and large sizes for different sized dogs. The Ultra and Whistler that I own fit into the ball launcher. The launcher is *WONDERFUL* if you get tired of bending down to pick up a slobbery, nasty, dirty, slimy ball, as well if you have a wussy girl throw like me and can't throw the ball very far. ChuckIt! makes several sizes and types of launchers.

I really like all the balls that we have, but I especially have to rave about the Whistler ball. Jade often takes off running before she sees where I am throwing the ball, turns around while the ball is right above her, then I have to go find where it lands. No more with the Whistler! Jade can hear it when it is flying through the air, and she knows that it's airborne. No more attempts at training my Border Collie to do a blind retrieve. Although she's pretty good at a directed retrieve...

The Whistler Ball


The Ultra Ball


The Erratic Bounce Ball


All in all, we give two paws way up for ChuckIt! brand toys, aka Canine Hardware. We love them, and can't wait to see what's coming down the pipeline for this awesome toy company. There are a number of other products that I didn't talk about here... be sure to check the rest of their products on their website! Go buy, use, play!

You have got to be kidding me!

This is exactly what it looks like.

Had to share... that's all.

Before You Buy

Don't let a cute puppy face sucker you in... do your homework!!

When you're looking to add a dog to your family, there is nothing more important than doing your homework first! There are a ton of things to think about...

• Is this the right time to add a dog/puppy? Both seasonally and in your life?
  
• Can you afford to buy/feed/train/vet the dog?
• Are you prepared to care for this pet for the next 10-15 years?
• Have you done your homework to decide what breed/size/mix is best for your family?
• Are you willing to put in the training and dedication it takes to have a well socialized and well behaved pet?
• Do you know what to look for in a good breeder, and how to avoid puppy mills and back-yard-breeders?
• Would you be willing to skip the puppy stage and get an adult dog? If the answer is no, you may not be ready for a dog, you may just want a puppy.
  

Once you've gotten a good bearing on the above issues, it's time to start looking for your new best friend. There are plenty of people out there who say "Don't buy! Rescue only!" Well, I'm not one of them. Both avenues work for different people. I have nothing against shelters and rescues, I know many wonderful dogs that came from those situations. However, if you're looking for a dog for a specific working purpose, you need to find a responsible breeder. Get in contact with your local kennel club- they can usually help you locate someone who works with your chosen breed and are usually willing to help you get in contact with a number of breeders.

After you've found some breeders to talk to, it's time to ask the right questions. What are the right questions? The following is a list of questions I've come up with that I've been using for my current search for the perfect German Shepherd puppy/breeder.

• What breed or dog-related clubs or registries do you belong to?
  This question is to gauge how active the breeder is within their breeds. It's important that the breeder be involved, whether it's a breed club or an activity club. For instance, a breeder belongs to the American Border Collie Club, a breed registry, and the Iowa Herding Dog Association, an activity club.
  
  
• How long have you been involved with your breed? How many years have you been breeding and how many litters have you produced?
  The longer the breed involvement the better. The number of years they've been involved with the breed as an adult is really important. The number of years they've been breeding should be less than the total number by several years. If the breeder is producing more than 1-3 litters per year, look elsewhere. If they're breeding their females more than once a year, look elsewhere.
  
  
• What activities do you participate in with your dogs?
  How active is the breeder with his/her dogs? Are they working the dogs, doing what they were bred to do? i.e. Border Collies should be working, hunting dogs should be hunting, etc. They should be proving their dogs can do their job. This is important even if you only want a companion- shows breed stability and ability. Are they doing well in their venues?
  
  
• What are your breeding goals for your dogs? Did you have any specific goals in mind for your current or next litter?
  The breeder should have a clear-cut goal of what they want from their dogs. How are they trying to improve the breed through their program? Through this litter? What qualities do their dogs have that the breed cannot do without? Are they sticking to accepted criteria other breed enthusiasts accept/use?
  
  
• What age do your pups go to their new homes?
  The benchmark to send puppies home is anywhere from 7 to 12 weeks. Puppies should not leave their litter or their mother before 7 weeks. If a breeder is sending puppies home earlier than that, look elsewhere... those few weeks are crucial for the puppy's social skills with other dogs. The ideal age is 8 or 9 weeks.
  
  
• How do you determine their level of drive? Would you be able to help select what amount of drive would be appropriate for us?
  This is really important if you're not sure what type of personality you're looking for. A responsible breeder who knows what they're doing will know enough not to send the quiet puppy who sits back behind the rest home to a household full of noisy energetic kids, and anything else. They will be able to guide you with your selection and make the best fit for your family. A truly responsible breeder is not afraid to turn away potential buyers if their puppies would not be a good match for your family.
  
  
• What do you expect from your puppy buyers? What kind of homes/jobs do your pups typically go to?
  Generally, responsible breeders are going to want their puppies to go to a home that will be active with their dog, and will take the time and energy to train their puppies. There's no really black-and-white answer to this question, that's entirely the breeder's preference. Try to avoid anyone that has a "whatever" approach, find a breeder that is interested in staying in contact and more or less being active/involved with the pup's life.
  
  
• What kind of socialization do you do with your puppies? Where do they live?
  There is no such thing as too much socialization!!! This doesn't just apply to the breeders. The more puppies are exposed to, the better off and more well-rounded and well-adjusted they'll be! The puppies should be exposed to all kinds of different noises, surfaces, people (especially children!), and animals, as many and as often as possible. Raising puppies is hard work, this is something that weeds out the less responsible breeders.
  
  
• What lines do your dogs come from?
  This is more important if you have a better idea of what you're looking for, or want a dog for a specific purpose. Many breeds have a working line and a show line. The working line is almost always a better choice, unless you're showing in the breed ring (not something I advise.) Working dogs are usually more well rounded with far less health problems. For example, I am currently looking for a working-bred German Shepherd- this means I am looking for dogs that come from East Germany or Czechoslovakia, which tend to be healthier and have better temperaments, and I am staying away from American-bred lines, which have poor temperaments and health.
  
  
• Do you have any health guarantees for your pups? What kind of health certifications do you have on the parents?
  Find out what health issues are common in your chosen breed. Do not buy from any breeder that doesn't test for these issues in the parents. Guarantees can be tricky, especially for disorders such as hip dysplasia (HD)- genetic HD can be guaranteed against if the parents are ruled to be sound, however, approximately 70% of hip dysplasia problems are environmental, whether it is caused by poor diet, too much/improper exercise, excessive jumping or running before a year of age, etc. The breeder should at least offer some sort of health guarantees. If the puppy does end up having some sort of health problems, the breeder should be willing to offer all or some of your money back, and/or offer to replace the puppy from a later litter.
  
  
• Can you send me references to previous puppy buyers?
  If the breeder is unwilling or hesitant to offer referrals from past puppy buyers, look elsewhere. If they have nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of, they should readily be able to offer references, with the permission of the contacts, of course. Ask previous buyers if they are happy with their dogs, with their selection, with the 'customer service' from the breeder, what they do/don't like about their dog and the breeder, if they would recommend purchasing a puppy from the breeder.
  
  
• What questions can I answer for you?
  The breeder should ask many questions- they should want to know about you and your family, your living arrangements, and how stable your situation is. They may want to know if you live in an apartment or have a yard or other means for your new dog to get the exercise it needs. Will you be moving in the foreseeable future? Have you had experience with this breed before? What is your history with dogs in general? Do you have children or other pets that the new puppy would have to compete with for the attention/energy it needs? Why do you want this dog? A responsible breeder cares where their puppy ends up and in what kind of home- if you are not a good fit for the breed/puppy, they will tell you.
  
  
• What is the price you charge for your puppies? When do you expect your next litter?
  Price is an important part of getting a puppy- don't buy a dog you can't afford. A breeder that performs a lot of health tests and guarantees, that is very active with their dogs in competitions, is going to place a higher price tag on their puppies. Don't go more than you can afford, but at the same time, avoid someone that is asking too little. As far as the next litter, make sure it's in a time frame that is reasonable. If there are going to be any major changes in your life around the time the next litter will be ready to go, it is probably best to wait for a future litter.

This list is by no means the only questions you can/should ask breeders- ask anything you want, there's no such thing as a trivial or stupid question. Most responsible breeders will be ecstatic if you ask a boat-load of questions, it indicates your dedication to finding the right dog, and shows that if you care enough to search for these answers, you will care enough to provide a wonderful home to their puppy.

Doing your research and looking at a number of breeders will help you make a good decision on your next dog. Remember, don't ignore red flags! If something sounds or feels wrong, listen to your gut- either debunk the issue, or move on. Pick out a breeder that will help you, and a puppy that works well for you and your family.

Happy hunting! :)